I have a new German , Shepherd dog, but need some help!

[mimififi]

Hi guys.  I have now got my rescue German Shepherd and she is just lovely.  We know bits and bobs of her background, she lived with a family who had two children, a baby and a disabled child, and they fell on hard times and could no longer keep her.  That is the story we have.

We took her on and she is very quiet and gentle and patient.  She seems to have some training, she will sit and down if you persist, she doesn't always do it first time, but she plays football and she gives you her paw.  She is quite good with "come!" for my husband and thus the problem.

We only picked her up this morning, so I know it is early days, but she seems to have just latched onto my husband.  She follows him, wants to be with him, heels to his side even if she is off the lead.  I tried to take the lead and she just bolted after simon and I was knocked flying.  She isn't agressive to me, just completely disinterested.  I gave her her dinner tonight which she didn't really eat at all.  SHe isn't greedy so I can't bribe with food, she won't even take a doggy treat from me.

I'm a little sad because I got her to be my companion and she just seems to want to be with him.  I'm worried about what will happen when I am out with her during the week when he is at work all day.  Will hse just sit and cry for him, or will she get used to being with me.

In every other way she is a perfect dog, so gentle, she just doesn't seem to want me.  How can I endear myself to her????

Forgot to say, she is only 2, pure bred GSD she has not been spayed

[woofgang]

Its nasty but simple, he has to ignore her completely and you have to feed, groom and train her. This is important because if she is not handled carefully she could begin to guard him anfd then things can get risky for you and the kids.

Best option is to find a local training class through the vets and YOU take her. Look for gentle method or similar phrase training

[woofgang]

forgot to add, be patient and good luck

[mimififi]

coool, woofgang, thanks.  I thought as much.  She did show a flicker of possession this avo when he started playing with the kids and she wanted to be on his lap.  He did start to ignore her then.

i was planing on doing a training class anyway, now ill make sure i do.  I did take for a walk this evening by myself and did the walk to heel thing and she was very good, very quick to pick it up.  I think though that she has very seldom been on a leash out walking.  We are also making a point to greet all the kids first and to hug and cuddle them in front of her and then greet her next to teach her her place in the pack so to speak.

Do you think she will be less possessive if she is spayed?  Less female hormones and all that.  I don't want it to go the other way and be possessive of me.

[drgnrdr]

I agree with woofgang. And also want to add, to get her spayed, ASAP. Intact female dogs have different moods and attitudes. I am surprised the rescue did not spay her before adoption...When I adopted my pup from rescue she was to be spayed before adoption, but I was a special circumstance and they let me have her before, but, I had to sign a bunch of papers and have it done by 14 weeks, and they followed up with calls and such to my home as the time drew near and I faxed them proof of spay right at 13 weeks old.

She may be drawn to your husband if he is more athoritative in your home such as asking her to come in the deeper tone men have, she may be use to that, from her previous family unit, depending on who trained her and "how" they trained her. If she only sits and down if you "persist" then she needs more training like woofgang said. Get to a positive reinforcement trainer.

She is still trying to settle in she has had her world turned around and dogs don't like their routines changed, they don't understand why and since they don't understand english you can't reason or explain what is going on. Act happy around her and she may start to figure out your actually fun to be with, use your happy voice. Use cut up hot dogs if she doesn't like typical treats. Don't try to soothe her or pet her if she whine and cries, dogs don't hear "that's okay, that's alright", they only hear your tone"that's right be upset, act scared". There's more to it, but not enough space here, a trainer can help you with the rest. It may take a week or so to get her integrated into your family.

Let us know how it's going, I too have a GSD, and she is a year old now. They can be great dogs.

[shaneystar]

I most certainly agree with woofgang and drgnrdr.
We have a GSD cross male. Now ten years old and "done"!!
A loving loyal family dog.He does tend to cling to me mostly but is quite happy to go with Mr S or my son if he has to. As you seem to be the one who is going have the most to do for her...I assume here that you are at home with the children while your husband is at work... then she has to learn who is pack leader.
It's early days yet and I expect she will soon settle down. After all it is a new strange environment for her.
Wishing you all the best with her and good luck.

[Elementor]

It could also be the case that she's female and since he's the male around she's going to be clinging to him more. If this is the case she probably sees you as a threat to her relationship to your husband and is probably jealous.

Do as the previous posters have said though, all should be well.

[parker27]

As long as she isnt being agressive then being with you all week whilst your other half is out is going to bond her more to you, and its likely that he'll be feeling left out.

 Ignore bad behaviour and praise good behaviour.

And do get her spayed, if only to reduce the chance of  possible uterine infections in later life.